The Philadelphia Phillies will be one of the most-talked-about teams in baseball leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline -- whether they're buying, selling, or doing some of both.
Based on their play so far, it won't be a surprise if the Phillies trade veterans for a second straight year. They are 9-13, closer to last-place Miami than first-place Atlanta in the National League East.
Sure, it's early. But there is particular urgency to this season in Philadelphia, for two main reasons: The team has an aging core, and it hasn't won a playoff series since 2010. If the Phillies are below .500 at the All-Star break, could they really justify doubling down on the same group in 2014 -- when everyone is one year older?
Roy Halladay, Chase Utley, Michael Young, Carlos Ruiz and Delmon Young will be free agents after this season. Given the postseason bona fides of those five, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could acquire a number of intriguing prospects if he put them o...

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